As soon as the sun has more energy and the ground warms up, the asparagus harvest is approaching. We give tips on how long the harvest can take and how to store it correctly.
Young asparagus plants must be protected
If you have just planted the asparagus, you have to wait a while before the first harvest. The following harvest period must be observed:
- 3. Standing year: 4 weeks
- From the 4th year: 8-9 weeks - The harvest must be stopped when the plant only produces fertile stems, but no later than on Midsummer Day (June 24th).
The asparagus plant needs the rest of the year to regenerate. Depending on location and year, 5 to 10 stalks can be harvested per year. If the system is getting old, you will notice this in a sharply decreasing yield. In particular, the diameter of the rods is becoming increasingly smaller. Mostly you can change the location after 7-8 years and put new plants. This means that 3 years later, when the old stock no longer produces good yields, you have a direct yield at the new location.
Store asparagus correctly
After you have pricked the asparagus, you should also prepare the spears as quickly as possible. Extremely fresh asparagus is the great advantage of the somewhat tedious cultivation in your own garden. Fresh white asparagus can also be stored in a damp kitchen towel in the refrigerator for three to four days. Green asparagus is best placed upright in a container with a little water.
Asparagus can be pickled, but it loses quite a bit of its aroma. Even if you hear it from time to time: asparagus definitely cannot be dried like tomatoes or garlic. The only way to preserve the flavor is to freeze it. To do this, you wash and peel the sticks first and freeze them tightly sealed in freezer bags. It will keep like this for up to a year. It is best to put the frozen asparagus directly into the boiling water. It should not be thawed slowly. Sour and spicy boiled asparagus spears (similar to gherkins) are also very interesting.
About the guest author:
As a graduate engineer in agricultural science, Felix Grebhardt is responsible for sales and marketing at Südwestdeutsche Saatzucht GmbH. The company is a family-run medium-sized plant breeding company based in Rastatt. Asparagus cultivation has a long tradition in the company and can be traced back to 1912. In addition to his job, Mr. Grebhardt passionately grows various types of kiwi, persimmon and figs in his garden.
Further information: www.suedwestsaat.de/spargel